“Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.” “We traveled a part of the distance on foot.” Portion is applied to that which is set aside for a special purpose, often as the share or allotment of an individual, as the wife’s portion, the portion of the oldest son, etc. Part is a more general term.
Postal
Bryant would not have said, “I will send you a postal by to-morrow’s mail.” Postal card or post card would be better.
Practical, Practicable
These words are sometimes confounded. Practicable means “that may be done or accomplished,” and implies that the means or resources are available; as, a practicable road, a practicable aim. Practical means “capable of being turned to use or account;” as, “The practical man begins by doing; the theorist often ends by thinking.”
Predicate
This word is sometimes incorrectly used in the sense of form or base; as, “He predicated his statement on the information he had just received.” Neither should it be used in the sense of predict; as, “The sky is overcast, and I predicate a storm tomorrow.”
Prefer—than
“I prefer to walk than to ride.” Say “I prefer walking to riding;” or, “I would rather walk than ride.” “To skate is preferable than to coast.” Say “Skating is preferable to coasting.”
Amount, Number